John S. Murdock
John S. Murdock (December 25, 1871 – December 19, 1946) was a Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court from 1929 to 1935.
Life and career
Born in Massachusetts to Thomas and Jane Dunlop Murdock,[1] Murdock received his undergraduate degree from Brown University in 1896, and his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1899.[2] He had his legal career in Providence, Rhode Island, becoming a partner in the law firm of Murdock & Tillinghast in 1911,[1] and serving as the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.[2] A Republican, he was appointed to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 1929,[2] to a seat vacated by the resignation of Chief Justice William H. Sweetland.[3] In 1935, the Democrats unexpectedly gained control of the state legislature, and ousted the entire court in favor of a new, entirely Democratic group.[2]
Murdock later served as a member of the Regional War Labor Board, and then as a member of the Wage Stabilization Board.[2]
Personal life and death
Murdock married Nettie V. Goodale in 1901.
He died from a heart attack in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 74,[1] while preparing to preside over Wage Stabilization Board hearing.[2]
References
- "Former Judge Murdock Dies; Was Born Here", The Berkshire Eagle (December 20, 1946), p. 16.
- "John S. Murdock Dies, Former R.I. Justice", Newport Mercury (December 20, 1946), p. 3.
- "Murdock Named Justice Of R.I. Supreme Court", Hartford Courant (April 11, 1929), p. 15.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William H. Sweetland |
Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court 1929–1935 |
Succeeded by Court reconstituted |